Reading labels means difference between "flab and fit"

Reading food labels correctly could mean the difference between "flab and fit", according to one expert dietitian.

Speaking to the The Express Tribune, Ritika Samaddar claimed that understanding how food is labelled and using this information wisely could be the key to losing those extra pounds.

He pointed out that many people fall into the same trap - reading the nutrition description for a serving of a product, rather than the whole pack. This leads them to happily eat the entire thing, without realising they are consuming a lot more than they thought.

The expert confirmed: "You will find the serving information listed right at the top of the nutrition facts label in any product. This is where people are misled."

"So this is where reading a food label smartly is applied. A lot [of] people are deceived by this and it is a common problem."

Samaddar also added in the Times of India that gone are the days when consumers could blame food manufacturers for their weight issues. Instead, he said the public have to learn how to balance their diet and work out what exactly the nutritional benefit is of the food they consume.

He concluded by saying that foods depicting themselves as "less trans fat, less calories or zero calories" are "misleading", as water is the only product that naturally has no calories.

Samaddar revealed: "For the marketing people, they will talk about their product in such a manner that it looks appealing to the consumers. So we can't blame them."

"The average consumer needs to be on guard against preservatives, added fat, colourings and calories in the label."